PLAYER RATINGS: The two Harrys make big impact in defeat of West Ham

As a unit Tottenham only impressed in patches and that was ultimately enough in their 3-2 defeat of West Ham at White Hart Lane. But how did they perform individually?

Hugo Lloris, 7

Could do little about Michail Antonio’s close range header and Manuel Lanzini’s well placed penalty. The skipper’s distribution was better than usual, and he made some good, if simply routine, saves.

Kyle Walker, 6

Took a while to get into the game but improved offensively after West Ham’s opener, providing a decent threat down the right. Must improve his crossing, though.

Eric Dier, 6

Strong at the back but after starting the match with some beautiful cross-field passes, his long-range pings eventually became laboured a little needless. Unfortunate not to score a powerful header that was saved.

Jan Vertonghen, 6

Continued his good form at the back without any of the more spectacular interventions we’ve seen from him in recent weeks. Some blame went Vertonghen’s way for the first West Ham goal on social media, but he appeared more unfortunate than at fault.

Danny Rose, 6

Was a constant thorn in West Ham’s right-hand side without offering much of substance. Rose was often stopped before he could get a delivery in, but his ability to get Spurs up the pitch shouldn’t go unnoticed. Played opponents onside for the opener.

Victor Wanyama, 6

Gave the ball away a couple of times in dangerous areas in the opening stages. Eventually settled and won some vital 50/50s, but didn’t impress quite the way he has been doing in the last few matches.

Mousa Dembele, 5

After perhaps the most impressive individual display of any Tottenham player this term against Arsenal, Dembele didn’t look quite himself against West Ham. Showed his usual strength but his trademark guile was absent.

Harry Winks, 8

The best player on the pitch — some achievement for a youngster making his first league start. Scored the vital equaliser and generally controlled the midfield with clever passing and admirable tenacity. Another star in the making?

Christian Eriksen, 5

A clash to the head just before half time seemed to knock some life into Eriksen, who had been pretty dreadful up to that point. Improved after the break and spread the ball across the front line when he could, but still looks below par.

Harry Kane, 8

He huffed and puffed for 89 minutes to no avail, but Kane will always put in that few minutes extra for the team. Spurs’ talisman was rewarded with the two most important goals of the game. He is priceless to Tottenham.

Vincent Janssen, 6

Chased and chased and jumped and chased and tackled and chased: you can’t fault Janssen for effort. Had the shot that led to Winks’ equaliser but offered very little goal threat after that. Gave away the penalty and was swiftly substituted. A real mixed bag.

Substitutes

Dele Alli, 7

Put Son through to win the penalty. His introduction changed things for the better.

Heung-Min Son, 7

A scrappy cameo but ultimately a fruitful one, creating the equaliser and winning the penalty with some nifty footwork.

3 COMMENTS

Let’s not paper over the cracks…the ponderous transition from the back continues and I felt that we were not operating the press with our usual aplomb (especially in the first half) but maybe that was a tactical decision.
Too many times players in MF were facing the wrong way. When that happens the return pass almost always goes back from whence it came. Not only that it suggests that the receiving player is more concerned about retaining possession rather than trying to open up the channels. This is a training ground issue…the body has to be positioned so that there is some angle of view forward and/or to the side.
Almost got my wish for two up front and we looked like 3-5-2 in attack but the press mostly has us as 4-2-3-1…it’s a mute point.
I hope Poch continues with Kane & Janssen, otherwise the chances are that Janssen will go the same way as Soldado. Of course he’s struggling to acclimatize but leaving him sitting on the bench won’t help him.
Not Son, he’s not a ‘go to’ player. With all due respect to Sonny he’s a ‘sneaky little s***’ type of player. If you want him to start then someone else has to give way…no two guesses who that might be at the moment.
On a plus note we did however manage 6 shots on target (including the pen.) 5 of which were from inside the box.